Wawrinka survives slip against Cipolla in French Open second round

Stanislas Wawrinka survived a spectacular mid-match slump to reach the second round of the French Open at Roland Garros.

The Swiss number two, seeded 18th, looked to be in control when he won the opening two sets against unheralded Italian Flavio Cipolla, but contrived to lose the next two and the match went into a decider.

Swiss almost rolled: But Stanislas Wawrinka survives

Wawrinka roared into a 3-0 lead, though, and went on to complete a torturous 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-2 win.

Ninth seed Juan Martin Del Potro had a more comfortable time as he won in four sets against Spaniard Albert Montanes.

The Argentinian lost the second set in a tie-break but it was the only blemish in an otherwise comfortable match as Del Potro eased through 6-2 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-1.

Tough test: Flavio Cipolla gave Wawrinka all he could handle

Marin Cilic, the 21st seed, also saw off Spanish opposition as he beat Daniel Munoz-De La Nava in three tight sets.

The Croatian's powerful serve was to the fore as he hit 10 aces in a 6-4 6-4 7-5 triumph.

Marvellous Marin: Cilic's service game was too hot to handle

The experienced Juan Carlos Ferrero stopped the rot for Spain, however, raining down 39 winners as he hammered French wild card Jonathan Dasnieres de Veigy 6-1 6-4 6-3.

Out of the shade: Juan Carlos Ferrero (above and below) was one bright spot for Spain

Italy's Fabio Fognini was a 6-0 7-5 6-1 winner over another Frenchman, Adrian Mannarino, but Edouard Roger-Vasselin gave the home crowd something to cheer by coming from a set down to beat Canada's Vasek Pospisil 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-2.